Missouri Laws 355.601 – Class voting by members on amendments
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section the members of a class in a public benefit corporation are entitled to vote as a class on a proposed amendment to the bylaws if the amendment would change the rights of that class as to voting in a manner different than such amendment affects another class or members of another class.
2. The members of a class in a mutual benefit corporation are entitled to vote as a class on a proposed amendment to the bylaws if the amendment would:
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 355.601
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- articles: amended and restated articles of incorporation and articles of merger. See Missouri Laws 355.066
- Bylaws: the code or codes of rules, other than the articles, adopted pursuant to this chapter for the regulation or management of the affairs of the corporation, irrespective of the name or names by which such rules are designated. See Missouri Laws 355.066
- Class: a group of memberships which have the same rights with respect to voting, dissolution, redemption and transfer. See Missouri Laws 355.066
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Corporation: public benefit and mutual benefit corporations. See Missouri Laws 355.066
- Public benefit corporation: a domestic corporation which is formed as a public benefit corporation pursuant to sections 355. See Missouri Laws 355.066
- Vote: includes authorization by written ballot and written consent. See Missouri Laws 355.066
- Voting power: the total number of votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors at the time the determination of voting power is made, excluding a vote which is contingent upon the happening of a condition or event that has not occurred at the time. See Missouri Laws 355.066
(1) Affect the rights, privileges, preferences, restrictions or conditions of that class as to voting, dissolution, redemption or transfer of memberships in a manner different than such amendment would affect another class;
(2) Change the rights, privileges, preferences, restrictions or conditions of that class as to voting, dissolution, redemption or transfer by changing the rights, privileges, preferences, restrictions or conditions of another class;
(3) Increase or decrease the number of memberships authorized for that class;
(4) Increase the number of memberships authorized for another class;
(5) Effect an exchange, reclassification or termination of all or part of the memberships of that class; or
(6) Authorize a new class of memberships.
3. The members of a class of a public benefit corporation which is a church or convention or association of churches are entitled to vote as a class on a proposed amendment to the bylaws only if a class vote is provided for in the articles or bylaws.
4. If a class is to be divided into two or more classes as a result of an amendment to the bylaws, the amendment must be approved by the members of each class that would be created by the amendment.
5. If a class vote is required to approve an amendment to the bylaws, the amendment must be approved by the members of the class by two-thirds of the votes cast by the class or a majority of the voting power of the class, whichever is less.
6. A class of members is entitled to the voting rights granted by this section although the articles and bylaws provide that the class may not vote on the proposed amendment.